June 7 – November 15, 2025 | Group Runs at The Diamond

Celebrating 24 years of training!

Need help preparing to run a marathon? Looking to make new friends while you train? Then look no further than the Sports Backers Marathon Training Team, designed to motivate and train individuals for the Allianz Richmond Marathon. You’ll find yourself not just equipped with a detailed 23-week program, but a great crew of experienced coaches and inspirational teammates as well. One of our favorite perks? A dedicated SAG team that supports the weekend group training session. That’s right… water stops and Nuun right there for you while you TRAIN. So let Richmond’s running community carry you to 26.2… when you hit that final stretch at the Allianz Richmond Marathon, you’ll be glad you didn’t go it alone!

MTT has a walking team! If a power-stroll is more your vibe sign up and come train for 26.2 with others looking to see the sights while speed walking. This crew is still hustling though! In order to meet the Allianz Partners Richmond Marathon 7-hour course time limit we’ll be pushing participants to maintain a 16 min per mile pace while training. The has it’s own schedule and dedicated walking coaches. Come walk it out with us!

Marathon Training Team Fees

Early Bird Pricing, November 17 – 21: $175

November 22 – April 30: $190

May 1 – July 7: $200

 

Many of my running partners and close friendships have been developed as a result of MTT! It motivates me on weekends throughout the summer to stick to my plan which has resulted in me achieving many of my goals.
– Brittany Easter
The teams, coaches, and information we received were all amazing and exactly what I was hoping when I signed up. This was my first year and I knew nobody going in, but came away with a bunch of new running friends and a lot more knowledge about marathon training/running.
– Chris Strauss

Marathon Training Team registration includes:

  • 23-week training program. Training begins Saturday, June 7 or Sunday, June 8, with a detailed schedule for you to follow
  • Organized and supported weekly group runs on your choice of Saturday or Sunday mornings
  • Personal guidance from our veteran team of experienced coaches
  • Opportunity to earn virtual badges through milestone and challenge completion
  • A special Sports Backers Marathon Training Team shirt and a technical race shirt
  • FREE entry in the 48th Allianz Partners Richmond Marathon on November 15
  • and all associated race benefits
  • Special Race Day support along the course from coaches
  • Clinics on subjects like nutrition, running attire, and other related topics

Register Now
or print out an entry form and mail it in with payment

Through MTT, my circle of friends has grown significantly. I now have a group of friends that I regularly hang out with and run with during the off season as much I do during the training season.
– Erin Folkenroth

Please note: Training Team entry fees are non-refundable and entries are non-transferable, no exceptions.  Once we receive your entry, you will not receive a refund if you cannot participate.

Already signed up for the marathon and want to participate in the training team? No problem! Just click here and follow the prompts to Transfer to Another Race. The system should only charge you the difference between the marathon and the training team, please contact us if it charges you the full amount. If you originally paid by check or you deferred your registration please email [email protected] for assistance transferring.

Income Based Rate

At Sports Backers, our mission is to inspire people to live actively. Engaging underserved populations is one of our core values and one way we act on this value is by offering Income Based Rates for our events. These special rates are offered to those who qualify and would otherwise not be able to participate.

Those who qualify are eligible for the special $40 rate for the Sports Backers Marathon Training Team. To learn more and apply please visit the Income Based Rate page.

Questions? Need more information, please email [email protected].

Entry Confirmation

Already registered? You can confirm your entry here.

Additional Info

If you can’t find the information you are looking for below, please email the head coach.

Important Rules & Notes

  • You must be at least 16 years of age to participate. If you are under the age of 18, you must have a parent/guardian registered for the training team and present for all group training sessions.
  • Training Team entry fees are non-refundable, no exceptions. Once we receive your entry, you will not receive a refund if you cannot participate or are unable to complete the program.
  • You may defer your 2025 Sports Backers Marathon Training Team entry to the 2026 Marathon Training Team through July 14 for $25. After that date, there will be no more deferrals. Please note that your free entry in the 2025 Allianz Richmond Marathon, by itself, may not be deferred to the 2026 event.
  • If you choose to run the CarMax Richmond Half Marathon or VCU Health Richmond 8k, rather than the Allianz Richmond Marathon on November 15, you may do so for no additional cost. You will be able to make this switch from late June through the expo.
  • All SAG/water stops are cup-less so you must be prepared with your own hydration device.
  • Strollers/Baby joggers and/or ANIMALS are not permitted at group runs or in the Allianz Partners Richmond Marathon.
    *Please reach out to [email protected] if your animal is a certified service animal

Head Coach

Carrie Parker

Carrie Parker
Carrie helps lead the Team, bringing with her thirteen years of experience with the MTT and five years coaching the YMCA 10k Training Team. She actively supports and trains with many athletes within our local community. Carrie is certified as an RRCA Adult Distance Running Coach. She’s deeply grounded with the desire to see everyone get active and happy, regardless of the speed or the distances…so let’s get moving!

 

Fitness Requirements to be on the Marathon Training Team

There is a 7-hour time limit to complete the Allianz Richmond Marathon, so that requires maintaining an average pace of about 16 minutes per mile for the entire 26.2 miles. Based on the industry standard pace calculators, comparable times would be about 3 hours, 20 minutes for a half marathon or 1 hour, 30 minutes for a 10k. Each participant should be able to comfortably finish four miles several times per week prior to starting the Training Team on June 7/8. We will monitor the progress of all of our participants during the early part of our training to make sure you have the fitness to complete the marathon in the required time.

Clinics

There will be clinics held on everything from injury prevention to nutrition to shoes. Clinic details will be posted in the early summer.